//------------------------------// // Chapter 5: "The Rise Of the Storm's Vengeance." // Story: Daring Do Adventures: Daring Do And The Griffin's Goblet // by XombieSlayr //------------------------------// Chapter 5: “The Rise of The Storm’s Vengeance.” As Daring Do left the odd earth pony’s stall in her wake, she became lost in her thoughts as she made her way back to the university. Normally she would have flown. But at the moment she didn’t quite feel like it. There was a tightness in her chest, she wasn’t sure what it was. She wouldn’t have called it fear, that would’ve been too simple. It was something more deeply rooted, something old. Her father had been lost for years. A chance to find him,or at least what happened to him brought up thoughts she hadn’t bothered to think in a very long time. There was a time when the greatest adventures she went on,were those in books. Books that her father would read to her every night before bed. And after he'd said goodnight and turned out the lights,Young Daring would dream of going on fantastic adventures, just like the protagonists in the books she loved so much. Daring felt the tightness in her chest grow as she tried to imagine her fathers face, smiling at her as he read to her. She was so distracted by this, that she walked headfirst into the giant airship parked on the university lawn. Daring rubbed her muzzle as she stepped back to gaze at the massive metal and wood behemoth. She tried to find words. “W-whoa.” She said utterly amazed. A familiar voice called from the deck of the airship. “Ahoy Daring!” It exclaimed. Storm Talon waved at her from the deck with the biggest grin Daring had ever see the old griffin wear. “I called in that favor!” He exclaimed proudly. Daring was at a loss for words as Storm called to another griffin in a navy uniform. “Lower the intake bridge!” Storm barked. “Sir,aye,Sir!” the navy-griffin saluted. Storm turned to another navy-griffin. “Bring Ms.Do aboard posthaste, and begin prepping the engines!” Storm ordered. “We launch at dawn! She may be an old bird, but shes got some fight left in her!” Storm turned to his crew. “Am I right?” The entire crew saluted. “Sir,Aye,Sir!” They repeated. In front of Daring’s eyes lay The Storm’s Vengeance, once the pride and joy of the griffin navy. The ship had been retired and gathered dust in the local museum, as a relic of a bygone era. Now it sat, restored to its former glory and primed to fly. Above, its large boat like hull propellers moved gently in the wind, ready to lift them into the sky at words noticed from her captain. The proud seal of the navy shining beneath the bow spirit in the sun. Daring stood awestruck, as the boarding plank lowered onto the well kept grass of the university lawn. Inside, lay the control hub of the Storm’s Vengeance. Griffins of all kinds walked about, checking gauges, taking orders and preparing the ship for lift off. There were more buttons and levers than Daring could possibly understand. The large windscreen, offered a perfect view of the setting sun framed in glass. Two griffins ran over checklists of various functions and procedures for preparing the ships ballasts, as Daring continued to look around, utterly amazed. Storm Talon came down from the upper deck and smiled at Daring’s bewilderment. “Well? Are you just gonna stand there gawking, ground lubber?” Storm asked proudly. Daring found her voice again. She smiled at her friend. “You're enjoying this aren’t you?” she joked. Storm looked around his ship. “Maybe a little.” He admitted. He turned and gestured toward the ship’s bow. “Now. How about I give you the grand tour?” he asked with a grin. Daring was once again awestruck. “A tour of The Storm’s Vengeance? How could I turn that down?” She exclaimed. “And while were on the subject: How did you manage this?!” Daring asked,desperate to hear how Storm managed to pull one of the greatest griffin war vessels of all time from retirement. “I mean I was expecting a plane! Not a fully stocked airship,with a full crew!” Daring exclaimed. Storm’s grin grew wider as he explained. “Well I said you’d need protection. And nowhere under Celestia’s sun is there any better than under the watchful eye of this bird. Any foolish enough to tangle with you,now has to tangle with us. There aren’t many who’d do that lightly.” Storm smiled as Daring tried to hide her further amazement. “And how I managed?” Storm continued. “You rack up a lot of favors after a few decades in the air navy. More than enough for a small request like this.” Daring’s eyes widened. “This is small?” she asked still amazed. Storm chuckled. “Well I thought two might be excessive.” He admitted. A strong looking griffin flew over to storm and saluted him. “Captain, all systems normal. Engines are fully primed and ready for take-off.” He said. “The cannons are also primed and ready. Ammunition is being loaded now.” He added. He took out a clipboard and paged through it. “We’ve detected several emissions from inside the fuel compartment. Recommend flushing the system.” He said. Storm nodded. “Agreed. Are we ready to depart on schedule?” Storm asked. The griffin saluted him. “Aye, Sir. Were ready for anything.” He said confidently. Storm smiled. “Excellent. That is all sergeant. As You were.” The griffin turned to leave but looked back. “One more thing sir.” “Yes?” “Its good to see you again.” “Its good to see you too, Sergeant Cloud.” the griffin saluted Storm again,before flying off. Storm turned back to the crew. “Now lets get this bird ready to fly!” He called out. Daring heard a resounding “Aye, Sir!” from every griffin in the room. Storm turned to Daring who had been watching in awe. “You see Daring? We are staffed by the finest crew the air navy has to offer. The 201st. There are no better griffins in the sky, that I guarantee you.” Storm smiled as griffins began to man their posts. “On an off-the-books volunteer mission of course.” Storm added with a grin. Daring was ready to voice her opinion now. “So…Awesome!” She exclaimed, wide eyed. Storm chuckled. “I thought you’d say that.” He stretched his wings once then collected himself as he motioned around him. “Now this is the control room. From which orders can be sent to any part of the ship.” Storm explained. ”The wheelhouse is situated in the center, along with various controls for the ballasts, engine primers and the propeller stops. We have to keep careful watch on the heat levels in the arcane matrix. If it gets too hot, we could rupture the containment field.” Daring Do was a scholar, an explorer and a very skilled adventurer. But she knew next to nothing on the mechanics of old griffin war ships. Daring gave a nervous smile. “Um…that would be bad.” She said trying to hide her ignorance. Storm had apparently not noticed daring’s nervousness. “Hmm, yes I suppose it would be.” He stated,agreeing with Daring. “I guess it kind of loses its power if you’ve survived it once or twice.” He said casually. Storm suddenly looked lost in thought. “Took a while for my feathers to grow back after that one.” Daring gently nudged Storm with her hoof. “Um, Storm? Back on track?” she said,bringing the old griffin out of his thoughts. “Oh! Yes. In any case follow me.” Storm walked back to a room near the back of the control hub,which was lined with radios,wires and telegraph machines. “This is the communications center. This is where all transmissions on and off the ship are received, using a bit of magic.” Storm stopped noticing someone at one of the transmission receivers. “Wait a minute.” Storm approached them. “Who are you sergeant?” Storm demanded. “Where’s Skycall?” The griffin turned around in his seat to face storm. "Out sick, sir.” He explained. “I’m his replacement, Sharpatalon. I’ll do my best to do you proud sir.” The young griffin saluted Storm who rubbed his chin in thought. “Hmm…alright then. As you were.” The young griffin turned back around and got back to his work. Storm eyed him for a moment, then cleared his throat. “As I was saying, when we reach Zebrica, well hail them and let them know of our intentions. While this air ship has seen greater threats, then the Zebrican Navy, I don't want to antagonize them unnecessarily by sneaking in unannounced.” Daring nodded. “Makes sense.” She said. “So, how quickly can we get this puppy off the ground anyway?” She asked eagerly. Storm looked back at his crew. “Well, were not fully prepped yet. We can't lift off for a trip that long,without thorough inspections and priming of the engines. Cleaning the gears,calibrating the balance,testing the arcane flight matrix...” Daring began to lose touch as Storm continued to drone on the fundamentals of griffinain ship mechanics. Finally she had to stop him. “I get the point.” She said,stopping storm mid sentence on something called a reverse tank filtration unit. “Uh, when can we leave?” Daring rephrased her question. Storm chuckled. “First thing in the morning, should be. Can you wait a night?” Storm asked,knowing full well how eager Daring was to go. Daring’s mood was taken down a bit. “If I have to.” She sighed. “I still need to do some research on where the goblet might be.” She said raising her spirits up. Daring Do liked to research treasure almost s much as she did hunting it. “Word of mouth is fine, but books are best.” Daring said with a smile. Storm returned the gesture. “Indeed.” He said. Daring turned to leave,but as she did something occurred to her. “Hey,storm?” “Yes?” Daring turned and faced Storm,her face suddenly alert. “This thing was a museum piece for the longest time. How did you manage to get it here so fast?” she asked. “A very perceptive question.” Said Storm. Daring leaned on. “That would like a very perceptive answer.” She inquired. Storm thought for a moment. “Well…Daring, things haven’t been quite right in griffin circles lately.There's been rumors of strange things going on.” Storm said cryptically. “Ive been worried for awhile,so a few weeks ago I made request to have the ship readied in case it was needed. It was denied but like I said,I called in some favors.” Storm looked around. “It seems my worries were not unfounded.” Daring’s instincts had been correct. She walked over to storm. “What was it your so worried about?” she asked. Storm sat down and sighed. “some griffins…they don’t like the idea of sharing the sky with ponies.” Storm said. “That battle was fought a long time ago,but a few just don’t know when to let go.” Storm got up and collected himself. “You don’t survive as long as I did in the griffin navy,without being a little paranoid.” Storm admitted. Storm looked at Daring. “These are hardened griffins Daring. If their involved, I want you to have every possible advantage.” Daring stood there for a moment. “I see. Thank You, Storm.” Daring said with a smile. But her smile faded,replaced by that same serious look she had when she first read the mysterious letter. “Though if they know anything about my father,I don’t care if their hardened manticores,and I wont need your defenses. They will.” Daring stated in a tone that gave even Storm a shiver down his back. He collected himself. “I have no doubt.” He said. And he really didn’t. “But it never hurts to plan ahead.” Daring's normal expression returned as she smiled,turning away. “I’m gonna go do that research,you come get me the second were ready to lift off.” Daring ordered. Storm nodded. “Aye, aye Daring.” Daring made her way back to the deck of the airship. It was eye level with several of the offices inside. It was eternally thankful, Masra’s office was on the opposite side of the building. Scanning the curious faces inside, she spotted the pony who she knew was best suited to help her find the information she needed. “Herpy! Get your flank out here, and bring all the books you can on Zebracan Mythology!” Daring yelled into the empty classroom, sending a now fully awake Herpy to the floor, in a hail of papers. “All of them!?” “All of them! And Make some more coffee, its gonna be a late night!” Daring exclaimed.